Skylight apparatus for tile roof

ABSTRACT

A building includes a tile roof including a plurality of courses of tiles and a roof-cover above which the tiles are positioned, a ceiling below the roof, and a skylight apparatus. Each tile engages adjacent tiles according to a repeating engagement structure. The skylight apparatus includes a main body in place of one or more of the tiles of the tile roof and engages adjacent tiles substantially according to the repeating engagement structure, at least one window, a tubular body below the main body and extending through an aperture in the roof-cover, a light conduit extending downward from below the tubular body and defining an inner passage, and a bottom translucent member at an opening in the ceiling and below a bottom end of the light conduit. Light is able to shine through the window, the inner passage, and the bottom translucent member into a room below the ceiling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/721,863, filed Sep. 27, 2005,entitled “Skylight Apparatus for Tile Roof,” which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods forilluminating buildings, and more specifically to skylights forilluminating buildings with tile roofs.

2. Description of the Related Art

Skylights can be used to illuminate the interior of buildings withlight. Typically, a skylight includes a hemispherical,light-transmissive dome mounted on the roof of a building. To install askylight on tiled roofs, the skylight is mounted and the surroundingtiles are cut to correspond to the shape of the skylight. Impropercutting and/or placement of the cut tiles can result in roof leakage.Accurate cutting may be challenging, for example when the tiles arecurved and/or are made of clay or ceramic. Moreover, cutting may removea portion of the tile designed to engage an adjacent tile, leading topoor or improper engagement.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

In certain embodiments, a building comprises a tile roof, a ceilingbelow the roof, and a skylight apparatus. The tile roof includes aplurality of courses of tiles. Each tile engages adjacent tilesaccording to a repeating engagement structure. The tile roof includes aroof-cover above which the tiles are positioned. The skylight apparatuscomprises a main body, at least one window, a tubular body, a lightconduit, and a bottom translucent member. The main body is in place ofone or more of the tiles of the tile roof and engages adjacent tilessubstantially according to the repeating engagement structure. Thetubular body is below the main body. The tubular body extends through anaperture in the roof-cover. The light conduit extends downward frombelow the tubular body. The light conduit defines an inner passage. Thebottom translucent member is provided at an opening in the ceiling. Thebottom translucent member is below a bottom end of the light conduit.Light is able to shine through the window, the inner passage, and thebottom translucent member into a room below the ceiling.

In certain embodiments, a skylight apparatus comprises a main body, atleast one window in the main body, a tubular body extending downwardbelow the window, and a sub-flashing. The main body is configured totake a place of one or more tiles of a tile roof and to engage adjacenttiles of the tile roof substantially according to a repeating engagementstructure of the tiles. The sub-flashing includes a base and an openingin the base. The base is adapted to be secured to a roof-cover so thatthe opening fluidly communicates with an aperture in the roof-cover. Thetubular body is configured to extend through the opening in thesub-flashing and through the aperture of the roof-cover. The window,tubular body, and sub-flashing are configured to be arranged so thatlight can shine through the window, tubular body, and sub-flashingopening.

In certain embodiments, a cover-member for a skylight apparatuscomprises a main body configured to take a place of one or moresubstantially curved tiles of a tile roof and to engage adjacent tilessubstantially according to a repeating engagement structure and at leastone window formed within or secured to the main body.

In certain embodiments, a roof-protruding member for a skylightapparatus comprises a tubular body configured to extend through anaperture in a roof-cover and to be coupled to a light conduit and aflange extending from the tubular body. The flange is configured to beselectively attached and detached with respect to undersides of each ofa plurality of differently shaped cover members emulating different tileshapes. The flange is configured to be attached to only one of the covermembers at a time.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achievedover the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention havebeen described above and as further described below. Of course, it is tobe understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may beachieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention.Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that theinvention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves oroptimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein withoutnecessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught orsuggested herein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of theinvention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the presentinvention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiments havingreference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited toany particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the inventiondisclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings ofpreferred embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limitthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of a roof and attic having a skylightapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C are bottom, side, and end views, respectively, of a firstembodiment of a cover-member of a skylight apparatus.

FIGS. 3A-3C are top, side, and end views, respectively, of a secondembodiment of a cover-member of a skylight apparatus.

FIGS. 4A-4C are top, side, and end views, respectively, of a thirdembodiment of a cover-member of a skylight apparatus.

FIGS. 5A-5C are top, side, and end views, respectively, of an exampleembodiment of a roof-protruding member of a skylight apparatus.

FIG. 5D is a top cutaway view of multiple embodiments of roof-protrudingmembers disposed on a roof.

FIGS. 6A-6C are top, side, and end views, respectively, of an exampleembodiment of a sub-flashing of a skylight apparatus.

FIG. 6D is a top perspective view of the sub-flashing of FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIG. 7A is a side cutaway view of an example embodiment of a skylightapparatus installed in a roof.

FIG. 7B is a side cutaway view of another example embodiment of askylight apparatus installed in a roof.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and side views, respectively, of an exampleembodiment of a flexible light conduit.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are top and side views, respectively, of an exampleembodiment of a bottom fixture.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the bottom fixture of FIGS. 9A-9B,taken along line 9C-9C of FIG. 9A.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are top and side views, respectively, of an exampleembodiment of a bottom translucent member.

FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view of the bottom translucent member ofFIGS. 10A-10B, taken along line 10C-10C of FIG. 10A.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are top and side views, respectively, of an exampleembodiment of a securing strap.

Some of the figures are schematic and may include elements that are notdrawn to scale with respect to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although certain preferred embodiments and examples are disclosed below,it will be understood by those in the art that the invention extendsbeyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and/or uses of theinvention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it isintended that the scope of the invention herein disclosed should not belimited by the particular disclosed embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 shows an upper portion of a building having a roof 20. The roof20 comprises a plurality of courses (e.g., courses a, b, c . . . ) oftiles 22 arranged on a roof-cover 23 that is in turn supported by aplurality of rafters 24 and possibly purlins. The tiles 22 can bearranged according to conventional methods. For example, the each tile22 may engage adjacent tiles 22 according to a repeating engagementstructure. In particular, each tile 22 may interengage with the tiles 22adjacent and to the sides, may overlap downslope one or more tiles 22,and may be overlapped by one or more tiles 22 upslope (e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 1). The illustrated roof 20 is formed above asubstantially horizontal ceiling 26, which also defines a floor of anattic 28 between the roof 20 and the ceiling 26. Sidewalls of the attic28 typically include vertical studs 29 spaced at equal intervals.Battens (or “spacers”) 25 can be provided underneath the tiles 22, andpreferably run parallel to an eave of the roof 20 and/or a ridge of theroof 20 (not shown). The spacing between the rafters 24 is typicallybased on architecture and/or building codes. The spacing between thebattens 25 can be determined from the length of the particular tiles 22being used, the amount of overlap between upslope and downslope tiles22, etc.

The roof 20 includes a skylight apparatus 30 according to one embodimentof the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the skylightapparatus 30 comprises a cover-member 40, a roof-protruding member 50, asub-flashing 60, a light conduit 80, a bottom fixture 90, and a bottomtranslucent member 100.

The cover-member 40 comprises a main body and at least one window formedwithin or secured to the main body. The main body is preferably adaptedto be in place of one or more of the tiles 22 in one or more of the tilecourses (e.g., by being shaped to emulate the shapte of a tile 22). Incertain embodiments, the cover-member 40 replaces one or more of thetiles 22 (i.e., by removing one or more originally placed tiles 22 andputting a cover-member 40 in place of the one or more removed tiles 22).In some embodiments, the cover-member 40 is originally placed along withthe other tiles 22. In a preferred configuration, the cover-member 40 isin place of a single tile 22 of the roof 20, but the cover-member 40 canreplace two, three, four, etc., of the tiles 22.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a cover-member 40A according to a firstembodiment, configured for use within a roof 20 having substantiallyflat tiles 22, for example as are known in the tile-roofing industry.The cover member 40A includes a generally flat main body 41A and a pairof at least partially translucent bubbles, domes, or windows 42A.Generally, one or more windows 42A can be provided in the main body 41A.In some embodiments, the main body 41A is formed of polycarbonate, butother materials are possible. The windows 42A can be formed of, e.g.,polycarbonate or glass. The main body 41A includes a ledge 43A at oneside and a ledge 44A at an opposite side to facilitate engagement of thecover-member 40A with adjacent tiles 22 or cover-members 40A, preferablysubstantially according to the repeating engagement structure of thetiles 22. The ledge 43A of the cover-member 40A is adapted to resideunderneath and to engage ledge 44A of an adjacent tile 22 orcover-member 40A. The ledge 44A of the cover-member 40A is also adaptedto reside above and to engage ledge 43A of an adjacent tile 22 orcover-member 40A.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a cover-member 40B according to a secondembodiment, configured for use within a roof 20 having curved tiles 22,for example as are known in the tile-roofing industry. The illustratedcover-member 40B includes a curved main body 41B and a pair of at leastpartially translucent bubbles, domes, or windows 42B. Generally, one ormore windows 42B can be provided in the main body 41B. In someembodiments, the main body 411B is formed of polycarbonate, but othermaterials are possible. The windows 42B can be formed of, e.g.,polycarbonate or glass. The illustrated cover-member 40B is preferablyconfigured for use within a roof 20 having “S-shaped” tiles, as areknown in the art. Thus, the main body 41B includes two full doublearches (readily apparent in FIG. 3B). The main body 41B includes a ledge43B at one side and a ledge 44B at an opposite side to facilitateengagement of the cover-member 40B with adjacent tiles 22 orcover-members 40B, preferably substantially according to the repeatingengagement structure of the tiles 22. The ledge 43B of the cover-member40B is adapted to reside above and to engage ledge 44B of an adjacenttile 22 or cover-member 40B. The ledge 44B of the cover-member 40B isalso adapted to reside underneath and to engage ledge 43B of an adjacenttile 22 or cover-member 40B.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a cover-member 40C according to a thirdembodiment, configured for use within a roof 20 having curved tiles 22,for example as are known in the tile roofing industry. The illustratedcover-member 40C includes a curved main body 41C and three at leastpartially translucent bubbles, domes, or windows 42C. Generally, one ormore windows 42C can be provided in the main body 41C. In someembodiments, the main body 41C is formed of polycarbonate, but othermaterials are possible. The windows 42C can be formed of, e.g.,polycarbonate or glass. The illustrated cover-member 40C is preferablyconfigured for use within a roof having “M-shaped” tiles, as are knownin the art. Thus, the main body 41C includes three full arches and twohalf-arches (readily apparent in FIG. 4B). The main body 41C includes aledge 43C at one side and a ledge 44C at an opposite side to facilitateengagement of the cover-member 40C with adjacent tiles 22 orcover-members 40C, preferably substantially according to the repeatingengagement structure of the tiles 22. The ledge 43C of the cover-member40C is adapted to reside above and to engage ledge 44C of an adjacenttile 22 or cover-member 40C. The ledge 44C of the cover-member 40C isalso adapted to reside underneath and to engage ledge 43C of an adjacenttile 22 or cover-member 40C.

In FIGS. 2-4, the ledges 43 and 44 preferably comprise a repeatingengagement structure of the tiles 22. In other words, each tile 22preferably includes ledges 43 and 44 for engaging adjacent tiles 22, asknown in the art. Other types of repeating engagement structures forengaging adjacent tiles 22 or cover-members 40 are possible. Preferably,the cover-member 40 engages adjacent tiles or cover-members 40substantially according to the repeating engagement structure of thetiles 22.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 are for example purposes only.It will be understood that other shapes and configurations ofcover-members 40 are possible. For example, the cover-members 40 mayinclude a single window 42, two windows, 42, ten windows 42, etc. Insome embodiments, the windows 42 are substantially flat. In certainembodiments, the windows 42 are curved and/or have a rise height suchthat they protrude from the tiles 22 enough to be seen visibly, to meetcertain building codes, and the like.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an example embodiment of a roof-protruding member50. The roof-protruding member 50 includes a preferably tubular body 51having an annular lip 52 near a lower end and an outwardly extendingflange 53 at an upper end. By “tubular,” it is meant that the body 51defines an inner conduit. The term “tubular” does not necessarily meanthat the body 51 has a circular cross-section. Indeed, the cross-sectionof the illustrated body 51 is slightly elongated with rounded ends. FIG.5D shows several possible shapes of the tubular body 51. In FIG. 5D, theillustrated roof-protruding members 50 include tubular bodies havingcross-sections that are circular 56, rounded rectangular 57, elongatedwith rounded ends 58, and oval 59. Other shapes are also possible,preferably those shapes that maximize the cross-section of the tubularbody 51 and still fit between adjacent battens 25 and adjacent rafters24.

The roof-protruding member 50 may be configured such that the flange 53rests on the roof-cover 23 or a batten 25, as discussed further belowwith respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B. In some embodiments, theroof-protruding member is selectively attachable and detachable withrespect to the main body 41 of the cover-member 40. In certainembodiments, the roof-protruding member 50 is modular (i.e., theroof-protruding member 40 is configured to be used with a variety ofdifferent styles of cover-members 40). In certain alternativeembodiments, the roof-protruding member 50 is configured to be used witha particular variety of cover-member 40. For example, theroof-protruding member 50 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C is particularlyconfigured for use with the cover-member 40C illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C.It will be appreciated that when the roof-protruding member 50 isconfigured to rest on either the roof-cover 23 or to rest on the batten25 and an adjacent lower tile 22 that the roof-protruding member 50 maybe either modular or configured to be used with a particular variety ofcover-member 40.

The roof-protruding member 50 includes a horizontal structure 55generally within or near the plane of the flange 53. This horizontalstructure 55 is configured to permit light to shine downward into theinner passage of the tubular body 51. In some embodiments, thehorizontal structure 55 includes an opening 54 or window through whichthe light shines. In some embodiments, a light-modifier is providedwithin the opening 54. For example, the light-modifier can comprise alight-diffuser configured to diffuse light (e.g., sunlight). Thelight-modifier can be configured to soften the light, change its color,or otherwise change its properties. The light-modifier can be arefractor or magnifier of light. The light-modifier, for example, cancomprise a treated glass or polycarbonate. In one embodiment, theroof-protruding member 50 is formed of galvanized steel, but othermaterials are possible.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate an example embodiment of a sub-flashing 60. Thesub-flashing 60 includes a base 65, a baffle 62, and an opening 64inside the baffle 62. The tubular body 51 of the roof-protruding member50 is configured to extend through the opening 64 in the sub-flashing60, preferably with a close fit therebetween. Thus, the opening 64 ofthe sub-flashing 60, like the tubular body 51 of the roof-protrudingmember 50, is preferably configured to have a maximum cross-section andto still fit between adjacent battens 25 and rafters 24. The baffle 62is configured to prevent leakage of water through the aperture in theroof-cover 23. In certain embodiments, the baffle 62 comprises aprojection or wall extending upward from the base 65 and substantiallysurrounding the opening 64 in the sub-flashing 60. It will beappreciated that the baffle 62 may have any suitable shape to preventleakage of water through the aperture in the roof cover 23 (e.g.,V-shaped, U-shaped, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the baffle 62defines the perimeter of the opening 64. However, it will be understoodthat the base 65 can extend radially inward of the baffle 62 such thatthe perimeter of the opening 64 is radially inward of the baffle 62. Thebase 65 is adapted to be secured to the roof-cover 23 so that theopening 64 fluidly communicates with an aperture in the roof cover.

FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of a tile roof 20 comprising askylight apparatus 30. The skylight apparatus 30 comprises acover-member 40 and a roof-protruding member 50. The flange 53 (FIGS.5A-5C) of the roof-protruding member 50 is sized and shaped to rest onan edge of a batten 25 and an adjacent lower tile 22, such that thetubular body 51 of the roof-protruding member 50 extends downwardthrough an aperture in the roof-cover 23. The flange 53 is attached tothe underside of the main body 41 of the cover-member 40. The skylightapparatus 30 further comprises a sub-flashing 60, whose base 65 (FIGS.6A-6D) is preferably secured to the roof-cover 23. The tubular body 51of the roof-protruding member 50 also extends downward through anopening 64 (FIGS. 6A-6D) in the sub-flashing 60. The baffle 62 of thesub-flashing 60 is configured to prevent leakage of water between thebattens 25 into the aperture in the roof-cover 23.

FIG. 7B illustrates another embodiment of a tile roof 20 comprising askylight apparatus 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 53 ofthe roof-protruding member 50 is sized and shaped to rest on an edge ofan aperture in the roof-cover 23, such that the tubular body 51 extendsdownward through the aperture in the roof-cover 23. In certain preferredembodiments, at least one of the cover member 40 and the roof-protrudingmember 50 comprises a wedge-shaped member to compensate for a differencebetween angular orientations of the tiles 22 and the roof-cover 40. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the roof-protruding member 50 includes awedge-shaped portion 72. The wedge-shaped portion 72 is configured toextend between the cover-member 40 and the flange 53 of theroof-protruding member 50, whose flange 53 rests upon the roof-cover 23.The wedge-shaped portion 72 is configured to prevent leakage of waterthrough an aperture in the roof-cover 23. The wedge-shaped member ispreferably shaped to compensate for the difference in angularorientation between the roof-cover 23 and the tiles 22, if such adifference is present. If not, then there is usually no role for awedge-shaped member.

Although FIGS. 1, 7A, and 7B illustrate a skylight apparatus 30comprising a light conduit 80 and FIG. 1 illustrates a skylightapparatus further comprising a bottom fixture 90 and a bottomtranslucent member 100, it will be appreciated that certain componentsmay be omitted (e.g., for roofs 20 having vaulted ceilings). Asdescribed with respect to FIG. 7B, the skylight apparatus 30 may nothave a sub-flashing 60 in certain embodiments. Moreover, thecover-member 40 and the roof-protruding member 50 may be a single piece(i.e., having a main body and a tubular body formed integrally together)or a plurality of pieces.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a light conduit 80 comprising a coil or helix81 (e.g., a steel wire coil) surrounded by a sheath 82 of flexiblematerial, preferably aluminum foil. The inner surface of the sheath 82can be reflective, so that the conduit 80 more effectively transmitslight through an inner passage 83 defined by the light conduit 80. Thelight conduit 80 is preferably flexible or adjustable to-increase easeof installation and to accommodate different roof/ceiling geometries.However, rigid light conduits 80 are also within the scope of theinvention. While the illustrated light conduit 80 is substantiallycylindrical, alternative shapes are possible, such as conduits havingcross-sections that are rectangular, diamond-shaped, oval, etc. In theillustrated embodiment, the upper end of the light conduit 80 slidesover and surrounds the tubular body 51 of the roof-protruding member 50(see FIGS. 5A-5C). The upper end of the light conduit 80 is preferablysecured to the tubular body 51 by a securing strap, such as the strap110 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B (described below). Skilled artisans willappreciate that the light conduit 80 can be secured to the tubular body51 by a variety of alternative methods, such as adhesives, screws,nut-and-bolt combinations, VELCRO™, and the like. The bottom end of thelight conduit 80 is secured to a preferably tubular portion of thebottom fixture 90 (described more fully below). The bottom end of thelight conduit 80 can be secured with a securing strap 110 or byalternative methods like adhesives, screws, nut-and-bolt combinations,VELCRO™, and the like.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate a bottom fixture 90 including a tubular (but notnecessarily circular) body 91, a flange 92 extending radially outwardfrom the bottom edge of the body 91, and a shelf 93 extending radiallyinward from the bottom edge of the body 91. The flange 92 preferablycomprises an annular flange, but other types of flanges (e.g., adiscontinuous flange formed of several different flange portions) may beprovided. The shelf 93 preferably comprises an annular shelf, but othertypes of shelves (e.g., a discontinuous shelf formed of severaldifferent shelf portions) may be provided. In a preferred arrangement,the bottom fixture 90 is secured to a lower surface of the ceiling 26(see FIG. 1). The flange 92 preferably includes a plurality of apertures94 for receiving bolts, screws, or nails for securing the fixture 90 tothe ceiling 26. Other fasteners are also possible, including those thatutilize the apertures 94 and those that do not (e.g., adhesives). Thebody 91 defines a central opening 95. The body 91, flange 92, and shelf93 can be formed integrally, e.g., by molding. In one embodiment, thebottom fixture 90 is formed of polypropylene, but other materials arepossible.

FIGS. 10A-10C show a bottom translucent member 100 according to oneembodiment of the invention. The illustrated translucent member 100includes a translucent body 101 that can be, e.g., bubble-shaped ordome-shaped. The body 101 is preferably formed of glass orpolycarbonate. A flange 102 is preferably provided at an outer edge ofthe body 101. The flange 102 is preferably sized and shaped to rest on(and possibly be secured to) the shelf 93 of the bottom fixture 90 (seeFIGS. 9A-9C). The flange 102 preferably comprises an annular flange, butother types of flanges (e.g., a discontinuous flange formed of severaldifferent flange portions) may be provided, giving due consideration tothe goal of securely and stably resting on the shelf 93 of the bottomfixture 90. The body 101 and flange 102 can be formed integrally, e.g.,by molding. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom translucent member 100comprises a light-modifier, such as a light-diffuser. The bottomtranslucent member 100 can be configured to soften light passingtherethrough, to change its color, or to modify other properties. Themember 100 can be a refractor or magnifier of light. The bottom fixture90 and bottom translucent member 100 are collectively referred toelsewhere herein as a “bottom apparatus.”

FIGS. 11A and 11B show one embodiment of a securing strap 110 forsecuring the ends of the flexible light conduit 80 to theroof-protruding member 50 and the bottom fixture 90. The illustratedstrap 110 comprises a body 111, a first end 112, and a second end 113having a buckle 114. In use, the body 111 is wrapped around an item tobe tied or secured (e.g., the light conduit 80), the first end 112 isinserted into the buckle 114, and the first end 112 is pulled until thestrap 110 tightens. The body 111 preferably includes a roughened surfaceto help prevent loosening. The illustrated strap 110 configuration iswell known.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications thereof. Inaddition, while several variations of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope ofthis invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the artbased upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that variouscombinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects ofthe embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of theinvention. It should be understood that various features and aspects ofthe disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, oneanother in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus,it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosedshould not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments describedabove, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claimsthat follow.

1. A building comprising: a tile roof including a plurality of coursesof tiles, each tile engaging adjacent tiles according to a repeatingengagement structure, the tile roof including a roof-cover above whichthe tiles are positioned; a ceiling below the roof; and a skylightapparatus comprising: a main body in place of one or more of the tilesof the tile roof and engaging adjacent tiles substantially according tothe repeating engagement structure; at least one window; a tubular bodybelow the main body, the tubular body extending through an aperture inthe roof-cover; a light conduit extending downward from below thetubular body, the light conduit defining an inner passage; and a bottomtranslucent member provided at an opening in the ceiling, the bottomtranslucent member being below a bottom end of the light conduit,wherein light is able to shine through the window, the inner passage,and the bottom translucent member into a room below the ceiling.
 2. Thebuilding of claim 1, wherein the main body and the tubular body areformed integrally together.
 3. The building of claim 1, wherein the atleast one window is secured to the main body, the tubular body forming afirst portion of a roof-protruding member that has a second portion thatis selectively attachable and detachable with respect to the main body.4. The building of claim 3, wherein the second portion of theroof-protruding member rests directly on the roof-cover.
 5. The buildingof claim 3, wherein one of the main body and the second portion of theroof-protruding member is substantially wedge-shaped to compensate for adifference between angular orientations of the tiles and the roof-cover.6. The building of claim 3, wherein the main body is one of a pluralityof differently shaped main bodies emulating different tile shapes, thesecond portion of the roof-protruding member being configured to beselectively attached and detached with respect to each of thedifferently shaped main bodies.
 7. The building of claim 1, wherein thetubular body forms a portion of a roof-protruding member that has aflange attached to an underside of the main body, the skylight apparatusfurther comprising a sub-flashing between the roof-protruding member andthe roof-cover, the sub-flashing including a base and a baffle, the basebeing secured to the roof-cover, the tubular body of the skylightapparatus extending through an opening in the sub-flashing, the bafflecomprising a projection extending upward from the base and substantiallysurrounding the opening in the sub-flashing, the baffle configured toprevent leakage of water through the aperture in the roof-cover.
 8. Thebuilding of claim 1, wherein the window is curved.
 9. The building ofclaim 1, wherein the skylight apparatus is in place of a plurality oftiles of the tile roof.
 10. The building of claim 1, wherein therepeating engagement structure comprises interengaging ledges.
 11. Thebuilding of claim 1, wherein the tubular body of the skylight apparatushas an oval cross-section.
 12. The building of claim 1, wherein across-section of the tubular body of the skylight apparatus is elongatedwith rounded ends.
 13. The building of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectionof the tubular body of the skylight apparatus is rectangular withrounded corners.
 14. The building of claim 1, wherein an upper end ofthe light conduit is secured to the tubular body of the skylightapparatus.
 15. The building of claim 1, wherein the light conduit isflexible.
 16. The building of claim 13, wherein the light conduitcomprises a steel coil surrounded by aluminum foil.
 17. The building ofclaim 1, wherein the skylight apparatus further comprises a bottomfixture interposed between the light conduit and the bottom translucentmember, the bottom fixture comprising: a tubular body extending throughthe opening in the ceiling, the light conduit being secured to thetubular body of the bottom fixture; a flange extending radially outwardfrom the tubular body of the bottom fixture, the flange being secured tothe ceiling; and a shelf extending radially inward from the tubular bodyof the bottom fixture, the shelf supporting an outer portion of thebottom translucent member.
 18. The building of claim 1, wherein the mainbody of the skylight apparatus is shaped substantially the same as thetiles of the tile roof.
 19. The building of claim 18, wherein the tilesof the tile roof and the main body of the skylight apparatus aresubstantially flat.
 20. The building of claim 18, wherein the tiles ofthe tile roof and the main body of the skylight apparatus aresubstantially curved.
 21. The building of claim 18, wherein the tiles ofthe tile roof and the main body of the skylight apparatus aresubstantially “S-shaped.”
 22. The building of claim 18, wherein thetiles of the tile roof and the main body of the skylight apparatus aresubstantially “M-shaped.”
 23. The building of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the window and the bottom translucent member comprises alight-diffuser.
 24. The building of claim 1, wherein at least one of thewindow and the bottom translucent member is configured to modify a colorof light shining therethrough.
 25. The building of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the window and the bottom translucent member is configuredto magnify light.
 26. A skylight apparatus comprising: a main bodyconfigured to take a place of one or more tiles of a tile roof and toengage adjacent tiles of the tile roof substantially according to arepeating engagement structure of the tiles; at least one window in themain body; a tubular body extending downward below the window; and asub-flashing including a base and an opening in the base, the baseadapted to be secured to a roof-cover so that the opening fluidlycommunicates with an aperture in the roof-cover, the tubular bodyconfigured to extend through the opening in the sub-flashing and throughthe aperture of the roof-cover; wherein the window, tubular body, andsub-flashing are configured to be arranged so that light can shinethrough the window, tubular body, and sub-flashing opening.
 27. Theskylight apparatus of claim 26, wherein the window is curved.
 28. Theskylight apparatus of claim 26, wherein the repeating engagementstructure comprises interengaging ledges.
 29. The skylight apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the repeating engagement structure comprises adownslope portion of a first tile of the tile roof overlapping anupslope portion of a second tile of the tile roof.
 30. The skylightapparatus of claim 26, wherein the main body substantially matches theshape of substantially flat tiles.
 31. The skylight apparatus of claim26, wherein the main body substantially matches the shape ofsubstantially curved tiles.
 32. The skylight apparatus of claim 26,wherein the main body substantially matches the shape of substantially“S-shaped” tiles.
 33. The skylight apparatus of claim 26, wherein themain body substantially matches the shape of substantially “M-shaped”tiles.
 34. The skylight apparatus of claim 26, wherein the tubular bodyforms a portion of a roof-protruding member that has a flange adapted tobe selectively attached and detached with respect to an underside of themain body.
 35. The skylight apparatus of claim 34, wherein the main bodyis one of a plurality of differently shaped main bodies emulatingdifferent tile shapes, the flange of the roof-protruding member beingconfigured to be selectively attached and detached with respect to eachof the differently shaped main bodies.
 36. The skylight apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the sub-flashing includes an upstanding baffle wallsubstantially surrounding the opening in the sub-flashing, the bafflewall configured to prevent leakage of water through the aperture in theroof-cover.
 37. The skylight apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:a light conduit having an upper end configured to engage the tubularbody and to extend downward therefrom, the light conduit defining aninner passage; and a bottom apparatus configured to be secured within anopening of a ceiling, the bottom apparatus configured to engage a bottomend of the light conduit, the bottom apparatus including a translucentmember; wherein the window, the tubular body, the light conduit, and thebottom apparatus are configured to be arranged so that light can shinethrough the window, the tubular body, the inner passage, and thetranslucent member.
 38. The skylight apparatus of claim 37, wherein atleast one of the window and the translucent member comprises alight-diffuser.
 39. The skylight apparatus of claim 37, wherein at leastone of the window and the translucent member is configured to modify acolor of light shining therethrough.
 40. The skylight apparatus of claim37, wherein at least one of the window and the translucent member isconfigured to magnify light.
 41. A cover-member for a skylightapparatus, the cover-member comprising: a main body configured to take aplace of one or more substantially curved tiles of a tile roof and toengage adjacent tiles substantially according to a repeating engagementstructure; and at least one window formed within or secured to the mainbody.
 42. The cover-member of claim 41, wherein the main bodysubstantially matches the shape of substantially “S-shaped” tiles. 43.The cover-member of claim 41, wherein the main body substantiallymatches the shape of substantially “M-shaped” tiles.
 44. Thecover-member of claim 41, wherein the window is curved.
 45. Thecover-member of claim 41, wherein the window comprises a light-diffuser.46. The cover-member of claim 41, wherein the window is configured tomodify a color of light shining therethrough.
 47. The cover-member ofclaim 41, wherein the window is configured to magnify light.
 48. Aroof-protruding member for a skylight apparatus, the roof-protrudingmember comprising: a tubular body configured to extend through anaperture in a roof-cover and to be coupled to a light conduit; a flangeextending from the tubular body, the flange configured to be selectivelyattached and detached with respect to undersides of each of a pluralityof differently shaped cover members emulating different tile shapes, theflange configured to be attached to only one of the cover members at atime.
 49. The roof-protruding member of claim 48, wherein the flange isconfigured to rest on the roof-cover or to rest on a batten and a tilesupported above the roof-cover.